No Lights, No sound, No NOTHING

[Laydee Rose]

When out for a run this morning for an hour. After some time I noticed the bike was chugging along. Silly me. I forgot to take it off second and was starting off from a stop sign. I corrected that. I went into my driveway backwards and felt the bike turn off. It has new spark plugs, battery and was recently inspected. Anyone knows what could be the problem?? It wont come on at all. Nothing works

[alanmcorcoran]

I went into my driveway backwards and felt the bike turn off.

I think if you want help you are going to have to be more specific. It might be a dead battery but it could be a lot of other things too. Does the engine turn over when you press the starter? Does the headlight come on? Is there gas in the tank? What position is the fuel petcock set to?

How did you go into your driveway backwards?

[Easy Rider]

It has new spark plugs, battery and was recently inspected.

Assuming that you have a total electrical failure, the most common causes are:
1) Bad battery.....new or not it still could be bad.
2) Blown or loose main fuse.
3) Loose or corroded connection at either end of either main battery cable.
4) Ignition switch problem or associated wiring.

Charge the battery first and then find a multi-meter to check voltages.

Having said all that......it is VERY important to note whether or not everything electrical is REALLY dead or not.....signals, horn, brake lights, etc......becasue one of the engine safety switches failing will kill the bike to......but JUST the engine.

[Laydee Rose]

Nothing happens, Not even a click. The engine doesnt turn over and niether does the headlights. By backing up into the driveway, I mean paddle walking it backwards.. its just an easy way exit the driveway next time I go oout for a ride. As for the fuel petcock.. It was on the reserve position. I changed it to the on position. But I am not sure if that has to do with the electrical problem. I will check the battery and connectors.. Thanks.. I will keep you guys updated

[Easy Rider]

But I am not sure if that has to do with the electrical problem.
I will check the battery and connectors..

No, there is no electrical connection to the petcock.
We go off on tangents occasionally. :biggrin:

[alantf]

I think she was replying to your previous post about electrical problems!!!!!!!!!!!! :cry:

[Viirin]

I'd put my money on the fuse - just because my friends virgaos main fuse blew a couple of days ago and it's fresh in my mind - still, check all of easy's suggestions - it shouldn't take too long and it should be a quick enough fix

Vii

[mrlmd1]

If you check the main fuse and it has blown, just replacing it will not solve the problem - you have to find the short that caused the fuse to blow. That should be obvious, but finding it may not be so easy. You must trace all the hot wires to see if anything has shorted out against the frame somewhere.

[alanmcorcoran]

Couldn't it be something simpler? Like the kill switch someone else mentioned? Didn't some of you have issues with the kickstand kill switch? She said she was "backing it up" and could have brushed against the kickstand. Also some people had corrosion on the handlebar kill that shorted it out...

[Easy Rider]

Couldn't it be something simpler? Like the kill switch someone else mentioned?

None of those things will cause a complete loss of power....lights, signals, horn, etc.

And fuses do occasionally fail without a short causing them to "blow".
The first thing to do.....always....is to replace the fuse and see if it holds.
In a small but significant number of cases, it will.

[Laydee Rose]

Hi Guys,

It is not the battery. Going to try the fuse

[Laydee Rose]

Went out to buy fuses and you guys were right..It is the fuse.. I tried putting in not one but three fuses and they all sparked and blew out. I dont know about searching for wiring shortages so I am getting it towed to the nearest shop tomorrow (a.m). I will keep you guys posted on what they say. Thanks a million!

[Sarris]

On the left side of the steering head, there is a rectangular metal hoop that retains a main wiring harness. The turning of the handlebars continually flexes the harness at this location and it's a common area where the wiring insulation wears through and causes a short. It happened on mine and was a simple repair. I just taped up the worn insulation an installed a $3 automotive harness cover.

Here is a photo. (sorry, not the best photo, but you get the idea.)

http://s1.postimage.org/HndD9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxHndD9)

Check here first. It may save you some $$$. The lowest ribbed thing is the harness cover.

Good luck.

:2tup:

[mrlmd1]

If it's not there, it also could be in the headlight bucket.